02:28 PM EST, 03/06/2025 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with Moderna ( MRNA ) and BioNTech's responses in the fifth and sixth paragraphs, along with the latest stock move in the last paragraph.)

Pfizer ( PFE ) and its partner BioNTech (BNTX) have infringed a COVID-19 vaccine patent owned by Moderna ( MRNA ) , Reuters reported Wednesday, citing a German court ruling.

The court reportedly ordered Pfizer ( PFE ) and BioNTech to disclose earnings related to the patent's use and pay a compensation to Moderna ( MRNA ), according to the report.

Pfizer ( PFE ) and BioNTech argued they were permitted to use the technology based on Moderna's ( MRNA ) public statement until the World Health Organization declared in May 2023 that COVID-19 was no longer a global emergency, the media outlet reported.

The court did not determine the compensation amount, which will be decided in further legal proceedings and could change if there is an appeal, Reuters said.

A Moderna ( MRNA ) spokesperson told MT Newswires that the company is "pleased with the Court's decision," adding that the company will continue to pursue intellectual property rights.

"It is important to note that an appeal to the European Patent Office's Technical Board of Appeal regarding the ongoing opposition to this patent is pending," a BioNTech spokesperson told MT Newswires. "Today's decision has no immediate impact on Pfizer ( PFE ), BioNTech, or Comirnaty. We continue to believe that EP949 is invalid, and therefore not infringed, and will appeal the Dusseldorf District Court's decision on this patent."

Pfizer ( PFE ) did not immediately respond to requests for comment from MT Newswires.

Shares of Pfizer ( PFE ) were up about 1.5% in recent trading, while BioNTech and Moderna's ( MRNA ) stock was down 3% and 2.8%, respectively.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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